“I don’t know what to do, Fran.”
“About what, dearest?”
“About the incident.”
Fran held her hand in both of hers. “Simply tell the police what you know, they’ll take it from there.”
“I’m scared too.”
“Why?”
“Because it was Tristan Lombard and his man.”
Frances reared back in her chair, her grey eyes wide. “Tristan Lombard, Nat’s friend? He stabbed you?”
Emotion welled in her chest and she closed her eyes. Fran had lost the colour in her cheeks and Nicola could only imagine what the news would do to Nathaniel.
“Tell me, Nicola,” Fran shook her hand, “Tell me everything.”
She wiped the tears from her good eye, not daring to touch the puffy bruising on the left side of her face. “It’s my fault really. I shouldn’t have provoked him, Tristan, I mean. He stopped me in the alley and although he was rude, I should have ignored his bad manners and kept going.”
“I never did like the man.” Frances fumed. “I told Nat plenty of times to stay away from him, he’s a bad one is Lombard.”
“He made some disgusting remarks as to why Nathaniel married me and I lost my temper. Lombard was also angry, angry at Nathaniel over some business…” She rubbed her forehead, desperate to remember everything she could. “Carstairs. Lombard mentioned Carstairs and that he would tell people about him and Nathaniel.”
“What did he mean?”
“I don’t know for sure, but whatever it is, it mustn’t be good, as I feel Lombard has some hold over him. Lombard said that Nathaniel had to go see him. He’d lost money or something and it was Nathaniel’s fault.”
Frances sagged against the chair. “I cannot believe this.”
“And I lost my temper and told him to go to Hell.” Nicola picked at the blanket, recalling the fear she’d felt as the other man advanced on her. “Lombard gave a nod to his man, who then attacked me.”
“Oh dear God.” Frances looked ill. “This will…Lord, we cannot tell Nat, he’ll go mad. Murder will be done.”
Nicola’s bottom lip trembled and more tears fell. “What can I do, Fran?”
Nathaniel stepped from behind the door, his expression stiff as though cast from granite. “You will do nothing.”
“Nat!” Fran jumped to her feet. “No, Nat. This is for the police to decide, not you.”
“The man will be dead by nightfall.”
Nicola watched him, amazed at his self-control. He’d brought the smell of rain with him and droplets glistened on his coat. He looked so powerful, so handsome. She held out her hand, aching for him. “Nathaniel.”
He blinked, but remained unmoved.
She willed him to come to her for if he left the room filled with his cold rage then murder would be done as Fran said it would. His eyes, those beautiful violet eyes she adored, narrowed and his hand twitched. He fought within himself. “Nathaniel. I need you.”
Nathaniel jerked as if slapped. His eyes focused on her and in an instant he’d thrown off his coat and was beside her, scooping her up into his arms. He held her so tight she couldn’t breathe and the wound in her side throbbed.
Her words had the effect she knew they would. She had never needed anyone in her life and he knew it. Often since their wedding day, he’d joked that she could go on living without him, whereas he would die if she ever left him. Being independent, she had agreed it was true. She required no one. Only now, after being married to this man and loving him so intensely, did she realise that she did need him, desperately.
She leaned back in his arms, ignoring the soreness each movement made, and gazed up at him. “Do you love me?”
He kissed her repeatedly. “You know I do.”
“And you don’t want to leave me?”
“Never, my darling, never.” He cradled her head in one hand, his love shining from his eyes.
“Then you will not go near Tristan Lombard.” She felt him tense. He went to speak but she silenced him with a finger against his lips. “I will not be married to a criminal, do you understand, nor will I be a widow.”
“Nic-”
“No, Nat. You must listen to me. Frances is right,” she darted a glance at Frances, lowering her hand from his mouth, “if you go near Lombard blood will be shed and I couldn’t stand it.”
“He has to pay.”
“And what of the threat concerning Carstairs? I want the truth of it.”
Nathaniel let go of her and went to stand by the window. “Carstairs and I did business together, along with Tristan.”
“Illegal business I